Linked Questions
11 questions linked to/from Why does image quality vary across lenses, and what to look for when comparing?
9
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the advantage of a lens with a curved focal plane?
In this answer it is noted that:
many lenses intended specifically for portraits or fisheye lenses, are designed to have a spherical field of focus
What advantages does having a spherical (or ...
1
vote
3answers
289 views
Does white balance change from lens to lens? [duplicate]
Does white balance change from lens to lens? Though I think it does not, the reason I ask is auto white balance with a wide-angle lens seems to be different from auto white balance with a macro lens. ...
1
vote
2answers
246 views
How can a lens produce better (or worse) colors than another one?
So I was looking the Lomography Lomogon 32/2.5 Lens, which looks pretty cool. However in the copy they claim that it produces images with great color.
Now if the lens glass is slightly tinted, then ...
49
votes
3answers
9k views
What image-quality characteristics make a lens good or bad?
When reading lens reviews on the Internet, I often find subjective statements about the image quality that a lens produces, such as "good contrast" or "sharp". The problem is that I don't think I am ...
17
votes
4answers
6k views
What is the difference between perspective distortion and barrel or pincushion distortion?
I've heard of:
perspective distortion
barrel distortion
pincushion distortion
mustache distortion
What are these different types of distortion, and how do they relate? What causes them, and can they ...
1
vote
2answers
38k views
What advantages does the Canon EF-S 18-55mm III have over the IS II version?
I was wondering if the Canon EF-S 18-55mm III lens had any advantages above the EF-S 18-55mm IS II, which has image stabilizing. The III seems to be a newer version, but hasn't got stabilizing. Will ...
67
votes
9answers
8k views
Why do some lenses cost 10 times as much when the specs are very close?
For example, a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens is about US$110, while another Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens is about 14 times as expensive, at about $1450. Is the 1.8 or 1.2 the main reason for the price difference?
...
27
votes
5answers
5k views
What is the shape of the focal plane?
This is something I just realised I don't entirely know the answer to, so I'm going to ask it here as I think it's interesting.
In most non-scientific writing on depth of field, diagrams generally ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Is the standard Canon 18-55 lens the same as 5 years ago?
I am planning to buy a new Canon camera body, and am wondering whether to just get the body, or to get the standard 18-55mm lens as well. I already have such a lens, which I think came with the EOS ...
16
votes
4answers
74k views
How does a spherical lens differ from an aspherical lens?
Many lenses (like the Pentax DA 15mm f/4 Limited, or the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.4G) are described as having "aspherical lens elements". Does this mean that regular lenses are spherical lenses? What's the ...
24
votes
2answers
5k views
Why is infrared light's focus point different from that of visible light?
When reading about infrared photography, it's often mentioned that IR's focus point is slightly different from visible light. Why is the focus point of infrared light point different from the focus ...